What if fundraising isn’t a “necessary evil,” but a powerful act of bridge-building? Jill Vorndran leads a 75-person team raising over $85 million annually for Covenant House International. In this episode, she shares what most conferences leave out: how to lead with both relentless joy and accountability, why excellent CEOs still struggle with fundraising, and what it really takes to sustain a high-performing development culture. We dig into what it takes to sustain fundraisers in a time of bud...
Jun 25, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 190
What if science wasn’t just about data—but about meaning? And what if stories were our most powerful technology for building a better future? This week on Nonprofit Nation, we’re joined by Dr. Vivienne Ming—theoretical neuroscientist, delusional inventor, and founder of The Human Trust—for a mind-expanding conversation about the stories we tell about science, progress, and ourselves. Vivienne is known for using AI, neuroscience, and epigenetics to tackle “impossible” problems—from detecting post...
Jun 18, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 189
What if fundraising was as simple and fun as a 5th-grade project? In today’s episode, we sit down with Patrick Kirby, founder of Do Good Better Consulting and host of The Official Do Good Better Podcast , to talk about his newest book, Fundraise Like a 5th Grader . Patrick brings his signature energy and humor to share why embracing a childlike approach to fundraising can lead to big wins for nonprofits. We also dive into 2025 fundraising trends, the dangers of “we’ve always done it this way” th...
Jun 11, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 188
Everyone is busy. Whether it’s emails, reports, or social media, most people skim rather than read in depth. So how can we write in a way that ensures our message gets through? In this episode, we’re joined by Todd Rogers, a Harvard Kennedy School professor, behavioral scientist, and author of Writing for Busy Readers . Todd shares the cognitive science behind effective communication and offers six actionable principles to help nonprofit professionals, educators, and leaders write clearly and co...
Jun 04, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 187
In times of uncertainty—whether due to political shifts, economic downturns, or crises—strong nonprofit boards are more essential than ever. But how can boards step up, adapt, and lead with equity, inclusion, and power-sharing at the forefront? In this episode, I sit down with Christal M. Cherry, Principal & CEO of The Board Pro, to explore how nonprofit boards can navigate challenges, build resilience, and foster leadership that drives real impact. Christal brings years of experience coachi...
May 28, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 186
If you’ve ever thought about starting or growing a nonprofit consulting business, this episode is for you! Our guest, Mandy Pearce, is the founder of Funding for Good , where she has spent over two decades helping nonprofits build sustainable fundraising strategies. She also coaches aspiring and established consultants, helping them refine their business models and create profitable, purpose-driven consulting practices. In this episode, Mandy shares her journey into consulting, the biggest lesso...
May 21, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 185
Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about authenticity, empathy, and vulnerability. But in the nonprofit sector, where burnout is high and resources are stretched thin, how can leaders balance transparency while maintaining strong leadership? In this episode, I sit down with Sabrina Walker Hernandez, President & CEO of Building Better Boards, to explore how nonprofit leaders can build trust, inspire their teams, and lead with courage—even in uncertain times. With a Harvard certificatio...
May 14, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 184
Recurring giving isn’t just about convenience—it’s about creating sustainable, long-term impact. What if nonprofits took lessons from the booming subscription economy to revolutionize donor retention and engagement? In this episode, I sit down with Dave Raley—speaker, consultant, writer, and founder of Imago Consulting—to discuss his new book, The Rise of Sustainable Giving: How the Subscription Economy is Transforming Recurring Giving and What Nonprofits Can Do to Benefit. Dave shares why tradi...
May 07, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 183
We’re often told to “be more curious,” but how do you actually develop curiosity as a skill? And how can curiosity be used as a powerful tool in nonprofit and philanthropy communicators? In this episode, I talk with Leo Chan, founder and Chief Innovation Igniter of Abound Innovation Inc., to explore how curiosity fuels creativity, improves storytelling, and leads to fresh, innovative solutions in nonprofit communications. Leo, a former Innovation Catalyst at Chick-fil-A, a LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® fa...
Apr 30, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 182
Growing your nonprofit’s email list is one thing—but turning subscribers into engaged donors is another. In this episode of Nonprofit Nation, I talk with nonprofit digital marketing expert Chris Barlow, founder of Beeline Marketing, to discuss how nonprofits can consistently grow their audience and cultivate relationships that lead to first-time donations. Chris shares expert insights on ethical email list-building strategies, crafting engaging content that nurtures trust, and using storytelling...
Apr 23, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 181
Childbirth is a universally significant experience, but for too many mothers around the world, it is also a life-threatening one. In this episode, we explore the urgent maternal health crisis in sub-Saharan Africa and the power of storytelling to drive change. Joining us are Charlie Kunzer , Executive Director of ALIMA USA, and Neda Azarfar , Managing Director of Nazar Works. They take us behind the scenes of ALIMA’s “Ode to Strangers” campaign , a powerful digital storytelling initiative that s...
Apr 16, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 190
Nonprofits know that digital engagement is essential, but too often, their marketing efforts feel disconnected—social media posts, emails, fundraising campaigns, and website updates can feel like separate pieces rather than a cohesive strategy. Enter Neal Schaffer , a leading authority on digital transformation in sales and marketing, and author of the new book Digital Threads . Neal joins us to share how nonprofits can use this innovative marketing approach to create stronger relationships, bet...
Apr 09, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 189
Community foundations have long been the quiet force behind local philanthropy, but how can they step into the spotlight and inspire action on a national scale? In this episode I sit down with Peter Panepento, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Turn Two Communications and Elyse Hammett, Vice President, Marketing and Communications at Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta to discuss the groundbreaking Make More Possible campaign—an effort to create a true national brand for community foundatio...
Apr 02, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 188
What if the key to innovation isn’t following best practices—but seeing what others miss? I sit down with Rohit Bhargava , bestselling author, futurist, and expert in non-obvious thinking, to explore how nonprofit leaders can break free from conventional wisdom and discover fresh ideas. Rohit’s latest book, Non-Obvious Thinking: How to See What Others Miss , introduces a four-step framework (SIFT) to help leaders generate better ideas, uncover hidden insights, and rethink the way they work. We’l...
Mar 26, 2025•42 min•Season 2Ep. 187
Donor retention is more than just a fundraising metric—it’s the key to nonprofit sustainability. Yet, retention rates remain stubbornly low. In this episode, we sit down with Wendy Mercurio , Market Researcher at Bloomerang, to discuss the findings from their latest report, Mission Retainable: Research-Backed Strategies to Inspire Donor Loyalty . We explore: Why donors give but don’t always stay The biggest challenges in donor retention Strategies high-retention nonprofits use to build loyalty H...
Mar 19, 2025•32 min
How do you get real people—especially those deeply embedded in their communities—to amplify your cause in a meaningful way? Traditional influencer marketing often focuses on celebrities, but micro influencers—everyday people with strong, trusted networks—are proving to be far more effective for building lasting engagement. This week, we’re joined by Ryan Davis , Co-founder & COO of People First, a company that identifies, recruits, and manages content from diverse communities by blending tec...
Mar 19, 2025•31 min•Season 2Ep. 186
Today, instead of our regular program, I wanted to play an episode from a show I think you'll love. I'm talking about System Catalysts , a podcast about the incredible people who are fixing the broken systems that run the world. In this episode, English Sall talks to the people behind One Acre Fund, an organization that supports smallholder farmers in Africa through a brilliant social enterprise model. They discuss how to build trust across sectors, something I think all social entrepreneurs sho...
Mar 14, 2025•31 min
The landscape of nonprofit fundraising events is evolving rapidly in 2025. With the return of in-person gatherings, the rise of digital engagement, and changing donor expectations, how can nonprofits design events that maximize impact and financial success? In this episode, we sit down with Samantha Swaim , co-host of The Fundraising Elevator podcast and 20 year consultant to nonprofit fundraising events, to explore the latest trends shaping nonprofit events this year. Drawing on decades of expe...
Mar 12, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 185
Your website is one of the most powerful tools your nonprofit has—but is it actually working for you? Too often, nonprofit websites are cluttered, confusing, or missing key elements that drive engagement, donations, and action. In this episode, David Hartstein , co-founder of Wired Impact, shares expert insights on how nonprofits can build a website that is clear, compelling, and built to convert. Whether you’re launching a new site or improving an existing one, this conversation will help you c...
Mar 05, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 184
In a world where burnout is the norm and rest is often seen as a luxury, how can changemakers sustain their well-being while making an impact? Meico Marquette Whitlock —a workplace well-being strategist, mindfulness teacher, and recovering workaholic—joins us to explore how mission-driven professionals can prioritize self-care without guilt and create a culture of well-being in their organizations. We dive deep into: ✔️ Reconnecting to Your WHY when the work feels overwhelming ✔️ Creating a sust...
Mar 04, 2025•52 min
As AI continues to reshape industries—including the nonprofit sector—how can we ensure that technology serves people, rather than the other way around? In this episode of Nonprofit Nation , we dive into the intersection of artificial intelligence and human-centered work with Tim Lockie, founder of The Human Stack and creator of the AI for Anyone course. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit technology space, Tim has helped organizations transition from being tech-resistant to tech-re...
Feb 26, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 183
What if businesses existed solely to give back? That’s the revolutionary idea behind the 100% for Purpose business model—one pioneered by Paul Newman over 40 years ago and now embraced by companies like Patagonia and Bloomberg. In this episode, we’re joined by Alex Amouyel, CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation, to discuss how philanthropy and business can intersect in a way that truly serves communities. We dive deep into how Paul Newman reversed traditional governance by giving his for-profit company...
Feb 19, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 182
Shilpa Alva is the visionary founder of Surge for Water, a women-led, women-centered nonprofit dedicated to providing marginalized global communities with access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health solutions. Under Shilpa’s leadership, Surge has impacted over 1 million lives and created more than 2,000 community jobs, while advancing sustainable water equity around the globe. Shilpa’s journey—from her background in engineering and corporate consulting to full-time social ent...
Feb 12, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 181
What if mentorship could help you grow your career, and your fundraising bottom line? This week, I’m joined by the amazing Ken Miller, CFRE —a powerhouse in the nonprofit world and a true advocate for professional growth. Ken is the president of Denali FSP Fundraising & Grant Consultants, a fundraising consultancy he founded in 2014 after a long and successful career in development. He’s also deeply involved in leadership roles with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and othe...
Feb 05, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 180
Since his inauguration, President Trump has signed dozens of executive orders covering a broad range of issues, including many that impact charitable nonprofits directly or indirectly. Some won’t take effect immediately and will be challenged in court. This slew of Executive Orders are threatening the communities we serve, and nonprofits must be ready to prepare, respond, and advocate like never before. This fight is going to be tough—but nonprofits are tougher. That’s why I’ve invited Bethany S...
Jan 31, 2025•41 min
AI is reshaping the nonprofit sector, from improving efficiency to revolutionizing donor engagement—but how do we ensure it’s done ethically and effectively? 65% of nonprofits using AI report improvements in efficiency and productivity, with the biggest wins in communication and data analysis. But 42% of nonprofits cite ethical concerns, such as data privacy and bias, as barriers to adoption. This week, we’re joined by Josh Hirsch, aka “The AI Dude,” a seasoned nonprofit strategist with over 1...
Jan 29, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 179
In this episode, we explore the art of scaling nonprofit impact with Dr. Johanna Moya Fábregas, executive director of Con Mi Madre. This Central Texas nonprofit empowers Latina girls and their mothers, combining social-emotional learning with college readiness. But the strategies Johanna shares extend far beyond one mission—her expertise in storytelling, partnership building, and inclusive leadership offers actionable insights for nonprofit professionals of all kinds. You’ll learn how to: Build ...
Jan 22, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 178
Did you know that nonprofits using data to tell their stories are 70% more likely to secure major grants and build donor trust? In this episode, we dive into how your nonprofit can harness the power of data to amplify your message, establish authority, and communicate your impact effectively. My guest, Drew Reynolds, founder of Common Good Data, shares actionable strategies to position your organization as a thought leader, win the confidence of funders, and scale your efforts to drive meaningfu...
Jan 15, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 177
This bonus episode is brought to you by RoundTable Technology—your Nonprofit IT Partner. For the tenth year in a row, they’re back with their FREE annual cybersecurity webinar, and this time, it’s bigger and bolder with a 2025 twist: Cyber Karaoke! Make it your New Year’s resolution to give your entire staff FREE cybersecurity awareness training. Don’t miss the encore— head over to NonprofitIT.com/best-ever to save your seat now . I also have another exciting announcement - Social Media for Soci...
Jan 14, 2025•9 min
David Rhode is a seasoned nonprofit founder, consultant, and author whose career has centered on scaling impact for mission-driven organizations. In this episode, he shares valuable insights from his new book, Passion Isn’t Enough: A Practical Guide for Nonprofit Leaders , a comprehensive resource for nonprofit executives, board members, and emerging leaders. With over two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, teaching, and consulting, David reveals why passion, while essential, must be...
Jan 08, 2025•40 min•Season 2Ep. 176
